July 17, 2024
SMOKY LAKE — A newly recruited family physician is now practising in at the local healthcare centre and in community, improving access to care for local and area residents.
Dr. Adriana Esterhuizen is a family medicine physician who is now practising at the George McDougall - Smoky Lake Healthcare Centre and the Raubenheimer Medical Clinic. Along with working at the community clinic, she is supporting the local emergency room, inpatient and outpatient services, and long-term care.
"It’s a pleasure to welcome Dr. Esterhuizen to Smoky Lake as our newest family physician and care provider at the local healthcare centre," says Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock. "Her arrival strengthens our local healthcare system, including the local emergency department, ensuring more compassionate and consistent care for community members."
Dr. Esterhuizen received her medical training at the University of Pretoria and completed her residency at the George Mukhari Academic Hospital, both in South Africa.
She moved to Smoky Lake last year and started practising in the community last month. She is joined in Smoky Lake by her husband and their one-year-old daughter.
Dr. Jane Ojedokun, Zone Medical Director in the North Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS), says Dr. Esterhuizen is a welcome addition to the local care team. "Dr. Esterhuizen will help provide invaluable support to the local emergency department and to local residents," says Dr. Ojedokun. "Her care and expertise will ensure more continuous care for those in need. We are very pleased to have join the healthcare team in Smoky Lake."
Call the Raubenheimer Medical Clinic at 780- 656-2505 to learn more about Dr. Esterhuizen’s family medicine practice.
As part of an overall physician recruitment strategy, AHS has three physician resource planners in the North Zone who are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. These planners work closely with partner organizations, such as the Rural Health Professionals Action Plan and local, independent community physician attraction and retention committees.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
